Approximately three minutes into flight, the first stage engines cut off and the first and second stages separated. Shortly thereafter, the second stage’s single Merlin Vacuum engine ignited to complete a five-minute burn. Twenty-five minutes into flight the engine restarted to complete a one-minute burn to bring the satellites to orbit.

ABS 3A satellite

Thirty minutes into flight, the ABS 3A satellite deployed into a supersynchronous transfer orbit followed by EUTELSAT 115 West B approximately five minutes later.

EUTELSAT 115 West B satellite

The satellites will now fire their thrusters to reach geosynchronous orbits. As the world’s first all-electric propulsion satellites, they carry no liquid propellant – rather, they reach orbit entirely via a lighter and more efficient electric propulsion system. ABS 3A will be located at 3° West and will connect the Americas, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. EUTELSAT 115 West B will be located at 114.9° West and will provide coverage from Alaska and Canada to South America.

SpaceX’s next launch is targeted for approximately three weeks from now, from Cape Canaveral, Fla.